Vancouver, BC, June 16, 2016--(T-Net)--BCIT announced that President Kathy Kinloch has been awarded a YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the category of Public Service.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards honour extraordinary women leaders, while raising funds for YWCA programs and services that improve the lives of thousands of people each year across Metro Vancouver. It is recognized as one of Canada's most prestigious awards for women.

Also included in an outstanding field of over 80 nominees was retired BCIT faculty member Svetlana Nikolic-Brzev who was nominated in the Education, Training & Development category. Svetlana was nominated for her dedication to supporting women in engineering.

“Being included amongst this exceptional group of nominees is truly humbling,” said Kathy Kinloch, President of BCIT. “All of these women are outstanding role models and advocates for positive change within their areas of expertise. I am honoured to represent BCIT at this distinguished gathering and I thank the YWCA for their extraordinary support for women's equality.”

Other award winners of the evening included Sue Paish, President and CEO of Life Labs, Artemis Gordon, Artistic Director of Dance at Arts Umbrella, and Marcia Nozick, CEO of EMBERS (the Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society).

“On behalf of BCIT and the BCIT Board of Governors, I am thrilled to sincerely congratulate Kathy, Svetlana, and all of this year's nominees,” said Lara Johnson, Associate Vice President, BCIT. “Guided by the vision of our leaders who champion lifelong learning and ambitious goal-setting, BCIT is training the next generation of innovative problem-solvers who are creating a better place to live, work and play here at home and abroad.”

BCIT is British Columbia’s largest post-secondary institution and Canada’s leading polytechnic. We offer programs in engineering, applied and natural sciences, business and media, computing and information technology, health sciences, and trades.